The 54th Annual Carbondale Mountain Fair poster design contest is officially open, calling on artists to bring this year’s theme — “LET’S DANCE! ¡BAILEMOS!” — to life. The winning artwork will be featured on the official fair poster and t-shirt, with the artist receiving $1,000 and five shirts showcasing their design. Submissions are due April 1, 2025.

Last year’s contest winner, Kirsten Hix, knows firsthand how exciting the competition can be. A first-time entrant in 2024, she was stunned when her artwork — a fish in a suit inspired by the Talking Heads — was selected as the winning design.

“It was really shocking,” Hix said. “It was very surprising to me because it was the first year I had entered and there are so many talented artists in this valley.”

Mountain Fair’s annual poster contest has become a staple in the local arts scene, inviting submissions from artists of all ages and experience levels. Carbondale Arts Gallery Manager Brian Colley said the contest consistently draws a diverse range of talent.

“Community contests always bring people out of the woodwork,” Colley said. “We get entries from kids working at home with their parents to seasoned artists who have been graphic designers for years, and everything in between.”

Unlike some design competitions, Mountain Fair embraces a raw, handmade aesthetic.

“We’re not looking for super polished, finished designs,” Colley said. “Sometimes the best designs have that handmade, hand-drawn look. We work with our team to make sure they’ll translate well onto a t-shirt and poster.”

For Hix, the experience extended beyond just submitting a painting. As a traditional artist with no experience in digital design, she collaborated with Carbondale Arts to refine the final version.

“The application process was really easy,” Hix said. “I literally submitted a picture of my painting, and they were really accommodating in helping me get the final design ready.”

However, past winners must wait five years before they can enter again — a rule meant to keep the competition fresh and open to new perspectives. While Hix won’t be competing this year, she still plans to be involved.

“I always enjoy volunteering,” Hix said. “I’ve been working on the backstage decorating committee the last three years, and it’s a lot of fun.”

The winning poster is chosen by a jury made up of Mountain Fair supervisors, Carbondale Arts board members and staff. Colley said the group has deep ties to the fair and understands its significance to the community.

“We’re in our 54th year, so there’s a lot of history behind it,” Colley said. “A lot of people care deeply about what the fair means for our community.”

This year’s theme, “LET’S DANCE! ¡BAILEMOS!”, was chosen to reflect the fair’s energy and inclusivity.

“We wanted something bilingual to celebrate the community,” Colley said. “Especially this year, with a lot of upheaval with the government, we want to make sure everyone feels included.”

The Carbondale Mountain Fair runs July 25-27, filling Sopris Park with music, art, and local vendors. Artists interested in the poster contest can find submission guidelines at carbondalearts.com. Entries and questions can be sent to Colley at brian@carbondalearts.com.